Seven Quick Takes Friday

There was a terrific interview with Van Morrison on Studio Q yesterday, one of the most in depth that he has given. Jian Ghomeshi seems to be able to bring out the best in his guests. The full, uncut interview is available at the website.

–2–

Michael used his Wednesday tuba lesson to pick up some basics on the bass trombone, which he will be playing in the Jr. Jazz Band at school. It went well, although the first jazz band rehearsal Thursday morning was a little overwhelming. Now that he knows the slide positions, he can bring an instrument home to practice some of the music on his own.

While he was at his lesson, I checked out the Bloor-Gladstone library, recently renovated.

A couple of interior shots…

–3–

I was at the first meeting of our parish’s Catholic Women’s League Executive last night. One of the projects that we are getting involved in is the support of a refugee family that the parish is sponsoring. They are not expected to arrive until next spring, which will be THREE years since the parish started the process. The holdup is apparently red tape with the Canadian government. How frustrating for the family, who I believe are living in a refugee camp at the moment.

–4–

Michael has headed off to band camp for four days this morning. I drove him and his duffel bag to school for 8:30, and as I arrived, he called home saying that he had forgotten his music and mouthpiece, so I drove back with these items. It was quite nerve wracking driving through the neighborhood, with cyclists and pedestrians paying NO attention to the traffic around them. I sound like an old fogey, but do they think that ear-buds provide some sort of invincibility? I saw a group of four teenage boys cross Lawrence West, a busy four lane street, not even looking at the traffic. Four lanes of cars came to screeching halts while these hooded and budded lads wandered nonchalantly across the street.

–5–

One son at university and one at band camp means four days at home on our own. ‘Nuff said.

–6–

I am joining an 8-week “Get a Handle on Your Clutter” group hosted by Beth Dargis over at My Simpler Life. We have our first online meeting (a group chat) Monday evening where we will think about our personal motivations for decluttering and create a plan. I am looking forward to making progress on the house between now and Christmas.

–7–

We had the exteriors of our windows cleaned yesterday, so my big project over the next few days is to clean the insides, and take down the screens. With the cool weather descending and the shorter days, we can use all the light we can get! This is my favorite time of year, weather-wise, and I feel positively energized by the temperature. I’m also sleeping better at night, now that I’ve got the duvet and cosy blanket out again.

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At my other blog: Berkman Family History

In this blog, I’ve talked about the origins of my Berkman family and a little bit about my most immediate ancestor, my father. I also looked at information about one of the family’s journey to the US. But there is a whole lot of uncertainty around most of the Berkman emigrants to North America. Some […]

The last two children born to my great-great grandfather, Hirsh Berkman, and his wife Sore, died as toddlers of croup. This was identified in death records from the Lithuanian town where they lived. Aharon Nate died at a-year-and-a-half in 1882, and daughter Teme Leye died at two-and-a-half years in 1886. This had me looking for some […]

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